These words of J. Reuben Clark, former Undersecretary of State, Ambassador to Mexico, and prominent leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, spoken in 1935, remain pertinent in today’s current debate over the Health Care Issue. Consider:

I am convinced that the problem of relief for the unemployed and the care of the maimed, decrepit, and old, will equally yield to solution by constitutional methods. Over-reaching of Constitutional functions and Constitutional powers are not necessary. As a principle, and as a practice, the Federal Government should not undertake the solution of these problems and the meeting of the needs incident thereto. These burdens should be left where they now legally rest–with the local State government. Speaking generally, there is no major area community of which I am aware, where to allow the burden so to rest would be either unequitable or impossible.

Has China abandoned Communism? Of course not: http://bit.ly/HGUlA Of course I’ve been saying this since 1988: http://bit.ly/ckppW

by Steven Montgomery

http://www.ldsfreemen.com/steven-montgomery/dissent-continued-the-m.o.html

In my previous article I wrote about how the Secret Combinations in the Book of Mormon justified their wars with the Nephites and of capturing control of Nephite government by appealing to the wrongful Lamanite tradition that it was Nephi who had usurped their “right to the government,” and that they, the Secret Combinations, were simply trying to restore that right. I then compared this “right to the government” appeal to the claims of modern day Marxism which also seeks, according to them, to restore this right to them, so that they can then implement their perfect, classless Communist utopia. This article will examine deeper some of the aims, methods, tactics, and strategies–the modus operandi–if you will of the Secret Combinations in the Book of Mormon and attempt to draw parallels to our modern day society.

I’ve extrapolated the following verses from scripture, in sequential order, which deal in some way with how the Secret Combinations operated in the Book of Mormon:

Alma 8:17; 10:27; 30:6-53; 43:29,45; 46:4-7, 10; 47:4,8,18,24,30,35; 48:1,7; 51:2,5-8, 13; 62:9-10 61:4;

Helaman 1:7-12; 2:1-14; 3:23; 4:22; 6:17-41; 7:4-5, 25; 8:1-4,7; 10:6,11; 11:10,26

3 Nephi 1:27; 2:11-12, 17-19; 3:1-26; 6:21-30; 7:1-2; 9:9

4 Nephi 42

Mormon 8:27

Ether 8:9-26; 9:5-6

A great benefit of understanding can be gained by studying the above verses, either sequentially as I have listed them, or topically, or for an examination of literary structure or patterns, parallels, etc., or in various other study methods. What should not be overlooked in these various study methods is to simply study and examine how Secret Combinations operated among the Nephite and Jaredite civilizations. Let me share with you two insights I’ve gained by studying in this manner.

At the end of King Mosiah’s reign, the reign of the Judges was established. An integral part of this newly arranged state of affairs among the Nephites was the firm establishment of law, known as the “laws of Mosiah” (see Mosiah 29). Although the laws were in his name, Mosiah had been given the laws by God himself, who had commanded him to set them up among the people (see Helaman 4:22).

It is important to understand that by thus setting up God’s laws, the greatest amount of freedom would prevail among the people. For a detailed examination why see here.

The first insight therefore is that the “laws of Mosiah,” which were the basic building blocks of Nephite civilization, became a major focus of attack by the Secret Combinations. For instance, Alma was told by an “angel of the Lord” that there were those who sought to “destroy the liberty” of his people “contrary to “to the statutes, and judgments, and commandments” of Mosiah’s laws” (see Alma 8:14-17) and Amalickiah, a leader of the “dissenters” (see my previous article here) sought to destroy the “foundation of liberty” which was the laws that “God had granted unto them” (see Alma 46:10).

To accomplish this aim of destroying the law, the Secret Combinations sought to change “a few particular points of the law” so that a Kingship might be restablished “over the land” (see Alma 51:2,5) and that they sought to set at “defiance the law and the rights of their country” so that  “that the land should no more be at liberty but should be subject unto kings” (see 3 Nephi 6:30).

The second major insight is that the “dissenters,” Gadianton Robbers, or Secret Combinations, always sought control of the government for themselves. Mormon goes to great lengths, for instance, to convince us that these Secret Combinations sought:

• to overthrow Nephite government and “establish a kingdom unto themselves (Alma 43:29)
• power and authority among the people (Helaman 2:5)
• power and authority over the people (Alma 51:8)
• to gain power (Helaman 2:8)
• to fill the judgment seats (Helaman 7:4)
• to obtain the sole management of the government (Helaman 6:39)
• to be held in office at the head of government (Helaman 7:5)
• to establish a king over the land  (3 Nephi 6:30)

Later Mormon’s son Moroni explains that it was these secret combinations among the Nephites and Jaredites which led to the destruction of both of these civilizations.  And then Moroni warns us of a similar secret combination exisiting in the last days which would seek power and to overthrow the “freedom of all lands, nations, and countries” (see Ether 8:23-25).

Modern Prophets and Apostles have also warned us. Elder Bruce R. McConkie took special pains in his book, The Millenial Messiah, to note that the secret combination which Moroni was so adamant in warning us about was “one particular secret combination” which was a worldwide conspiracy–and so not merely a gang, the Mafia, or some other criminally focused secret combination. It would be “entrenched in many nations” and it would seek “dominion over all nations” (Bruce R. McConkie, The Millenial Messiah, p. 65-66). President Ezra Taft Benson testified that this particular secret combination would be “highly organized,” “cleverly disguised,” and “powerfully promoted” and that it was seeking to increase its “evil influence and control over America and the entire world” (President Ezra Taft Benson, General Conference, October 1988).

To sum up then, the secret combinations in the Book of Mormon develeloped a two prong attack:

1. Overthrowing or corrupting the law
2. seeking to gain total control of the government

Since Moroni saw our day (Mormon 8:34-35), maybe we should take serious the advice given by President Ezra Taft Benson as we study the Book of Mormon. That is to “constantly ask ourselves” as we study the Book of Mormon, “Why did the Lord inspire Mormon (or Moroni, or Alma) to include that in his record?” (Ezra Taft Benson, CR, October 1986, Ensign, November 1986, pgs. 6-7) Maybe its just possible that we might be part of that group which will bring the constitution (the law) back from the “brink of destruction” and “verge of destruction” as well as be the “staff upon which this nation shall lean” (Ezra Taft Benson, The Constitution: A Heavenly Banner, Deseret Book, 1986, p. 27-28).

Next Article: Exposing the Enemies of Christ: An examination of Alma 30.

Here is a much better edited version of my article (with the same name), which was primarily a rough draft, posted yesterday here on Heavenly Banner but now posted at www.ldsfreemen.com:

Secret Combinations: Examining the Dissent

By Steven Montgomery

Tuesday, March 3rd, 2009

Connor Boyack pointed out the problem in his excellent article, “The Problematic Inward Vessel.” A major point made  that it was Nephites, dissenting Nephites, and not Lamanites per se, who were responsible for inciting the Lamanites to go to war against the Nephites.

Additionally Connor points out [emphasis is mine]:

Time and time again, individuals and groups from within the Nephite nation aspired for power, and when they couldn’t obtain it by force or persuasion, broke away from the group and through various means incited the Lamanites to riot and war against them. In light of the view these details present, the reader soon learns that the Lamanites in many cases were mere pawns in a war of propaganda, corralled and controlled by power-seeking authoritarians. Many of the examples above explain in specific detail the deceit and propaganda used to sway an otherwise neutral Lamanite populace.

But these dissenting Nephites didn’t just attempt to manipulate Lamanite opinion out of the blue. Much Insight can be gained by studying the Lamanite claim to legitimate power and authority, and by understanding that their claim went all the way back to Laman and Lemuel’s quarrel with Nephi–which was over the right to rule:

Yea, they did murmur against me, saying: Our younger brother thinks to rule over us; and we have had much trial because of him; wherefore, now let us slay him, that we may not be afflicted more because of his words. For behold, we will not have him to be our ruler; for it belongs unto us, who are the elder brethren, to rule over this people.  –2 Nephi 5:3

Later in the Book of Mormon this original claim recurs 3 more times:

1. “[The Lamanites believed that Nephi] had taken the ruling of the people out of their hands.” –Mosiah 10: 12, 15

2. ” For behold, your fathers did wrong their brethren, insomuch that they did rob them of their right to the government when it rightly belonged unto them . . .  And behold now, I am a bold Lamanite; behold, this war hath been waged to avenge their wrongs, and to maintain and to obtain their rights to the government; and I close my epistle to Moroni.” –Alma 54: 17, 24

3. “And I write this epistle unto you, Lachoneus, and I hope that ye will deliver up your lands and your possessions, without the shedding of blood, that this my people may recover their rights and government, who have dissented away from you because of your wickedness in retaining from them their rights of government, and except ye do this, I will avenge their wrongs. I am Giddianhi.”–3 Nephi 3:10

So why did Mormon feel it necessary to include this “right to rule” claim in the Book of Mormon? I posit that Marxism seems to offer a perfect parallel here. For it is the basic doctrine of Marxism that a state of war exists which primarily revolves around this “right to rule.”  As Dr. Fred C. Schwarz explained it:

What is Marxism-Leninism?  Stripped to its barest essentials, Marxism is the doctrine of the universality of class warfare, and Leninism is the doctrine of the historic role of the Communist Party to consummate the universal class war in world Communist victory.  The basic doctrine of Marxism-Leninism is that a state of war exists and that the Communist Party has been created to win this war.  The war was originally discovered, not declared, by Karl Marx.  It is between two classes of society which he called the proletariat and the bourgeoisie.  The bourgeoisie is the class of property ownership, the class that owns the means of production.  The proletariat he defined as the class of wage labor.  Between these two classes, Marx claimed to discover a state of war .  The bourgeoisie desires profit; the proletariat desires high wages.  If wages go up, profits come down.  If profits go up, wages come down.  Thus there is a fundamental conflict between these two classes.  This conflict Marx called the class war.

Marx taught that the bourgeoisie is the established class in Capitalist society.  It has created the State as an instrument to oppress and exploit the proletariat.  In reaction the proletariat creates the Communist Party to wage war against the State.  Thus the class war manifests itself as war between the Communist Party and the State.  With the progress of history, the Communist Party has come to power in Russia, China, and Eastern Europe.  The bourgeoisie remains in power in America and her associated allies.  Thus the class war has transferred itself from the national to the international plane.  The fundamental doctrine of Marxism, therefore, is that Russia and America are at war; that China and America are at war— not that they could be at war; not that they might be at war; not that they will be at war; but that they are at war.  This war is historically declared; it is universal; it encompasses every aspect of society; in it there can be no vestige of truce.  The Communists did not choose it; they simply recognized it.  Their duty is to prosecute the war to total and complete victory. (Dr. Fred C. Schwarz, You Can Trust The Communists: To Be Communists, chapter 1.)

In the 1999 movie, “Wild Wild West,” the U.S. President (Grant) played by Kevin Cline, stated a couple of lines which is germane to this whole discussion of dissent and this Marxist state of war which exists. Upon President Grant being surprised that the arch-villain had been planning for and waging war against the United States he stated: “I didn’t know that we were at war. You have me at a great disadvantage.”

At this moment a similar war is being waged against the United States of America. A war in which prevailing ignorance of its existence has put our country at a similar disadvantage. It is time to “awake” and arouse” ourselves to a sense of our “awful situation” (see Ether 8:24).

—–

Next week this “Secret Combinations” series continues with a look at the aims, methods, strategy, tools, etc., used by the Secret Combinations in the Book of Mormon.

Rather than take the time to repost an essay I wrote some time back on this blog that I would instead simply point to the URL where I originally published it. 

Communism: Satan’s Counterfeit of the Gospel Plan

Interesting. Gorbachev Calls on Obama to carry out “Perestroika” in the U.S.

http://en.rian.ru/russia/20081107/118196981.html

Especially interesting in light of Perestroika’s Marxist-Leninist underpinnings.
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Crete/4516/gp/Glasnost-Perestroika.html
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Crete/4516/gp/Glasnost-Perestroika1.html

In an effort to better understand President Boyd K. Packer’s General Conference Address, I went here, and watched it twice:

http://www.lds.org/move/index.html?type=conference&event=178&lang=english

Several things jump out at me. First, we live in perilous times, but a way of safety lies open before us, which safety comes from keeping the commandments of God, including that of being law abiding and worthy citizens. Second, President Packer refers to the celebration held in July 1849 where a statement was read that the persecution and “outrageous cruelties” the Saints suffered “proceeded from a corrupted and degenerate administration,” which makes me wonder if he was referring to a future time when Saints might again suffer from a “corrupted and degenerate administration?” Third, a plea that “the Spirit of liberty and the fire of patriotism” which was inherited from the “Silver Grey’s” fathers might “descend unadulterated to our posterity.” Finally, he refers to the efforts Lucifer will make to “trouble the work of the Lord and destroy it if they can,” and to the fact that tests “lie ahead and they will be many,” but that “no unhallowed handcan stop the work from progressing.” 

President Packer’s reference to the celebration held in Salt Lake City in 1849 apparently comes from the Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow by Eliza R. Snow. President Packer hints at the importance of the record of this celebration. So, I have reproduced it in its entirety below and highlighted those parts I thought especially worthy of note. 

Eliza R. Snow, Biography and Family Record of Lorenzo Snow, 96-107.

CHAPTER XVII.

The first celebration.—Lorenzo chairman of committee.—Description of Escort—Moves from Bowery to President Young’s.—Receives the Presidency.—Returns to Bowery.—Singing by the way.—Cheers.—Hymn.—Prayer.—Declaration of Independence read.—Speech by Silver Greys.—Ode sung by Silver Greys.—Shout of hosanna.—March to the dinner tables.—A rich feast.—Thousands of the Saints partake.—Gentiles en route to California, partake.—Scores of Indians partake.—Grandeur in Simplicity.—Gratitude to God.

THE first celebration in the valleys of the mountains was held on the twenty-fourth of July, 1849—the second anniversary of the entrance of the pioneers. In this, Lorenzo had much to do. In fact, the originating and compiling the programme for the exercises of the day, was the product of his fertile brain. The occasion was one which called into requisition his inventive abilities, and exhibited his taste and skill as an organizer; also the wonderful power of co-operative effort in carrying concerted plans into execution. Truly, it was not creating out of nothing; but when we take into consideration the circumstances of the people at that time—driven from their homes—robbed and plundered, and so recently located in a sterile waste, one thousand miles from all supplies, except what they extracted from a long-barren soil; it will be at once realized that it required no small stretch of thought and ingenuity to organize, and with appropriate honors, celebrate a day of so much historical importance as the one in question. But they had “the right man in the right place;” for in this instance, as in everything he undertook, Lorenzo verified the adage, “What is worth doing, is worth doing well.” And, to make a success of whatever he undertook, he neither spared labor nor application.

Although, since that early day of our mountain home, as circumstances have changed — means been multiplied, and foreign resources brought within the reach of this once isolated people, insomuch that in more recent celebrations of that ever memorable day, the twenty-fourth of July, mammoth displays have been crowned with wealth and magnificence, this first, the opening one—this display of civilization in a desolate wilderness has never been eclipsed.

As it may be interesting to many of the coming generation, we will here give a brief description of the celebration, as follows: The inhabitants were awakened by the firing of cannon, accompanied by music. The brass band, playing martial airs, paraded the principal streets of the city, in a gaily decorated omnibus, with prancing steeds, and with banners flying, returning to the Bowery, from whence they started.

The Bowery was one hundred feet long, by sixty wide; it was built on one hundred and four posts, and covered with boards; but for the services of this day, a canopy or awning was extended about one hundred feet from each side of the Bowery, to accommodate the vast multitude at dinner.

At half-past seven, the large national flag, measuring sixty-five feet in length, was unfurled at the top of the liberty pole, which was one hundred and four feet high, and was saluted by the firing of six guns, the ringing of the “Nauvoo bell,” and soul-stirring airs from the band.

At eight o’clock, the multitude was called together by music and the firing of guns—the Bishops of the several wards arranging themselves in the sides of the aisles, with the banners of their wards unfurled, each bearing an appropriate inscription.

At a quarter past eight a grand and imposing escort was formed, under the direction of Lorenzo Snow, Jedediah M. Grant and Franklin D. Richards, in the following order, to wit: (1) Horace S. Eldredge, marshal, on horseback, in military uniform; (2) brass band; (3) twelve Bishops, bearing the banners of their wards; (4) twenty-four young men dressed in white pants, black coats, white scarfs on the right shoulder, and coronets on their heads, each carrying in his right hand a copy of the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States, and each wearing a sheathed sword by his side—one of them carrying a beautiful banner, on which was inscribed, “The Lion of the Lord;” (5) twenty-four young ladies dressed in white, with blue scarfs on the right shoulder, and wreaths of white roses on their heads, each carrying a Bible and a Book of Mormon, and one carrying a neat banner, inscribed with “Hail to our Captain;” (6) P. P. Pratt, John Taylor, Charles C. Rich, Daniel Spencer, David Fullmer, Willard Snow, Erastus Snow; (7) twenty-four Silver Greys, led by Isaac Morley, Patriarch—each carrying a staff, painted red on the upper part, with a bunch of white ribbon floating at the top—one of them carrying the “Stars and Stripes,” bearing the inscription, “LIBERTY OR DEATH.”

The escort marched from the Bowery to the residence of Governor Brigham Young, and, at nine o’clock, when Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball had taken their position in the procession, in front of the Twelve Apostles, it moved forward, led by the committee, while the cannon roared, the musketry rolled, the “Nauvoo bell” pealed forth its silvery notes, and the air was filled with the soul-stirring strains of the brass band; and, as a soft, sweet and soothing refrain, intermingling harmoniously as they marched, the twenty-four young ladies and twenty-four young gentlemen sang the following, composed by Apostle P. P. Pratt:

THE MOUNTAIN STANDARD.

Lo! the Gentile chain is broken—

Freedom’s banner waves on high.

List, ye nations: by this token,

Know that your redemption’s nigh.

See, on yonder distant mountain,

Zion’s standard wide unfurled;

Far above Missouri’s fountain,

Lo! it waves for all the world.

Freedom, peace and full salvation

Are the blessings guaranteed;

Liberty to every nation,

Every tongue and every creed.

Come, ye Christian sects and pagan,

Pope and Protestant and priest—

Worshipers of God and Dagan,

Come, O come, to Freedom’s feast.

Come, ye sons of doubt and wonder,

Indian, Moslem, Greek or Jew;

All your shackles burst asunder—

Freedom’s banner waves for you.

Cease to butcher one another—

Join the covenant of peace;

Be to all, a friend—a brother,

This will bring the world’s release.

Lo! our King, the great Messiah,

Prince of Peace, shall come to reign;

Sound again, ye heavenly choir,

Peace on earth, good will to men.

On arriving at the Bowery, the escort was received with shouts of “HOSANNA TO GOD AND THE LAMB!” While the Governor and suite, Patriarch and Presiding Bishops were passing down the aisle, the people cheered and shouted, “HAIL TO THE GOVERNOR OF DESERET.” These being seated on the stand by the committee, the escort marched around the Bowery, singing an appropriate hymn—then down the aisle, and were seated in double rows on each side.

The assembly was called to order, and prayer offered by Apostle Erastus Snow.

Richard Ballantyne, chairman of the twenty-four young men, came to the stand, and, in a neat speech, presented the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States to Governor Young, which was received with three shouts, “MAY THEY LIVE FOREVER!” led by Governor Young.

The Declaration of Independence was then read, the brass band following with lively airs, after which the following Song of Liberty, by E. R. S. Smith, was sung by the twenty-four young ladies:

SONG OF LIBERTY.

Long, long ago, when Earth and Time

Were in the morn of life,

All joyous in their lovely prime,

With fragrant beauty rife.

All nature then in order crowned

With perfect harmony;

Luxuriant products clothed the ground,

O, there was liberty.

No vail obscured the worlds on high

From those that dwelt on earth;

But in the pathway of the sky,

They journeyed back and forth.

Then God and angels talked with men,

And woman, too, was free,

For both were pure and sinless then,

In perfect liberty.

The curse pursued transgression’s track,

And man from God was driven,

Until the Priesthood brought him back,

To do the will of heaven.

We’ll shout hosanna to the Lord,

For what is yet to be,

When earth and man will be restored

To God and liberty.

We see the lighthouse brightly blaze

Far o’er the boisterous wave;

With cheering prospects thus we gaze

On hopes beyond the grave;

For woman, if submissive here

To God’s divine decree,

Restored, will fill a noble sphere

In glorious liberty.

The Lord has set His gracious hand,

And by His mighty power,

He led His people to this land—

Preparing for the hour;

For Earth and Time are growing old,

And soon Eternity

Will to the Saints of God unfold

CELESTIAL LIBERTY.

The singing by the young ladies performed, Elder Phineas Richards came forward in behalf of the twenty-four aged sires, and read their loyal and patriotic address, as follows:

To our honorable President and this respectable Audience:

Respected Fellow Citizens:—Permit us, the aged Fathers in Israel, to mingle our voices with yours on this interesting occasion—an occasion which is calculated to call into exercise the most acute feelings of the human heart.

The circumstance which we this day commemorate, will form a very important item in the history of succeeding ages. Two years ago this day, when President Brigham Young first entered this valley, he completed the most extraordinary expedition ever recorded in the annals of history.

There are sometimes small and seemingly trivial events in the life of man, with which every other period most naturally associates. There are circumstances in the history of nations, which seem as fulcrums, around which everything else revolves. But the period, the circumstance, the event which we now commemorate, is one with which is associated the interests of the world—the salvation of the whole human family.

What must be the feelings, this day, of President Young, the leader of that noble band of Pioneers, while he contemplates the results of the last two years? Realizing the responsibility of his position as the head of a numerous people, persecuted and driven from their cherished homes, where their first leader and Prophet had sealed his mission with his blood; we say, what must have been his feelings when, with a little band, with barely necessaries sufficient to sustain life for a few months, and leaving their families nearly destitute, on lands claimed by faithless savages, he started forth into the wilderness in search of a home for his people, like Abraham of old, “not knowing whither he went?” But he knew that God had called him—he trusted in the arm of Omnipotence, and by the unseen hand of the Almighty Jehovah, their feet were directed across a trackless desert to this place. And who, fellow citizens, with the recollections of the past and the anticipations of the future, would attempt to describe the feelings that on this occasion fill the breasts of your aged fathers?

Soon, like the Patriarchs of old, we expect to be gathered to our fathers. Our bosoms swell with gratitude to the Most High, that after years of tossing to and fro, our feet are once more established upon a land of peace; although exiled by the bloody hand of persecution from the much loved lands of our nativity—our once beautiful homes and quiet firesides, where we inherited the sweets of domestic life from those who fought the battles of the American Revolution, to establish the principles of equity, and a government of peace. From them, too, as a natural inheritance, have we imbibed, and with ardor cherished, the holy fire of patriotism; which, having been constitutionally implanted in our natures, can never become extinct. As easily might the earth be removed from its orbit—as well might yonder sun be made to emanate darkness instead of light, as the glorious priciples of liberty be eradicated from our bosoms.

Little did our fathers think, while rehearing to their children the sufferings of the pilgrims who fled from the religious oppression of the Old World, and while recounting the scenes of hardship, privation and death, while passing through the struggle that “tried men’s souls,” to plant the tree of liberty, to establish freedom and equal rights, and to bequeath the laws of protection and republicanism to their posterity—we say, little did they think that we, their sons, would have to cower beneath the hand of oppression—be chased like the roe upon the mountains, and forced to flee before the reeking sword of an unhallowed mobocracy, and hunt a refuge, a hiding place, beyond the track of civilization! Little did they think that so soon the proud-crested Eagle would seek an asylum behind the western hills, and that the blood of the noblest martyrs that ever graced this lower world would remoisten the soil which had so lately been purchased by the blood of heroes!

But, brethren and friends, we who have lived to threescore years, have beheld the government of the United States in its glory, and know that the outrageous cruelties we have suffered proceeded from a corrupted and degenerate administration, while the pure principles of our boasted Constitution remain unchanged. President Joseph Smith experienced and well comprehended this corruption; and, inspired by the Spirit of the Almighty, foretold the sequel, and, with the pencil of heaven, portrayed the impending desolation and ruin; and, prompted by an unction from the upper world, essayed to put forth his hand to preserve the tottering fabric from destruction. “But they have done unto him as they listed”—they have driven the Saints from their midst—they have demolished the bulwarks of liberty and protection, and now the vengeance of insulted heaven awaits them!

In our humble opinion, having been taught by bitter experience, that under a defective administration of political government, religious toleration can exist only in name, it devolves upon us, as a people instructed by the revelations of God, with hearts glowing with love for our fallen country, to revive, support, and carry into effect the original, uncorrupted principles of the Revolution, and the constitutional government of our patriotic forefathers.

To you, President Young, as the successor of President Smith, do we now look, as to a second Washington, so far as political freedom is concerned, to replant the standard of American liberty, to unfurl the banner of protection, to re-establish equal rights, to nourish the broad-plumed eagle that has fled to the recesses of the mountains crowned with eternal snows, to unsheath the sword of justice, to do honor to the memories of the heroes of the Revolution, and to his memory whose blood now cries from the ground in behalf of a loyal, innocent, persecuted and exiled people.

From a long personal acquaintance, and a knowledge of the inflexible, godlike integrity which has characterized your adherence to, and your support of, our murdered Prophet; with the utmost confidence we pledge ourselves to uphold, and, as much as lies in our power, to assist you in resuscitating and re-establishing those glorious principles, while we live; and when we die, we bequeath this pledge as a sacred legacy to our children. As we have inherited the spirit of liberty and the fire of patriotism from our fathers, so let them descend unadulterated to our posterity.

Should not we, who have suffered atrocious cruelties, rise up and redeem our once sacred Constitution from the foul disgrace with which it has been stamped, and the eternal infamy to which it is destined, unless a spirit of philanthropy and independence shall somewhere be aroused for its rescue? Shall not we, fellow citizens, rise up in the spirit of freemen and do honor to the shades of the departed heroes of ‘76? Let us show ourselves to be worthy sons of our noble, patriotic ancestors. Let us prove to the United States, that when they drove the Saints from them, they not only drove from their midst soldiers who were bravest in protecting their western frontier, but also the firmest supporters of American Independence. Let us be true to our trust. Profiting by scenes of suffering in the recent school of our experience, let us watch with jealous eye the first encroachment of civil power. Should the infernal monster despotism dare lift its hydra head upon this western Territory, Mr. President, although burthened by the weight of years, and worn down with hardship, privation and fatigue, we, the gray-headed, with you for our leader, are ready at any moment to step forth and unsheath the sword in defense of that which our fathers have taught us to hold dearer than life.

Yes, we are ready; and, as we follow you, we call upon these young men, our sons, to follow us; and sooner lay their lives upon the holy altar of liberty than submit to be crushed by the inquisitorial Juggernaut of oppression. Let the sacred motto “Liberty or Death” be inscribed on every scabbard, helmet, buckler and shield.

Yes, here, with this Territorial government, let a standard of liberty be erected that shall reach to heaven, and be a rallying point for all the nations of the earth. Here let the insigniaed banner begin to be unfurled that shall yet extend its benign protecting wand to every kingdom upon the face of the earth; that while revolution treads on the heel of revolution—while commotion, anarchy and devastation push forward the reckless besom of destruction, and with continuous sweep are annihilating the last hopes of comfort in human life; while in the prophetic language of Scripture, “all faces shall gather blackness,” here let the ensign of peace, like a heavenly beacon, invite to a haven of rest, an oasis of civil, political and religious liberty.

From here let peans of theo-democracy or republicanism reverberate from valley to valley, from mountain to mountain, from Territory to Territory, from State to State, from nation to nation, from empire to empire, from continent to continent, till the thrilling echo shall be responded from Behring’s Straits and the straits of Magellan, from Great Britain and the states of Europe, from Africa, from Hindostan and even from China, the proud, self-styled “celestial empire” of the east.

At the conclusion of the address, the assembly arose and shouted three times, “Hosanna! hosanna! hosanna to God and the Lamb, for ever and ever, amen and amen!” while the banners were waved by the Bishops. Then, after the band had played a lively air, the clerk read the Ode to Liberty, written for the occasion by E. R. S. Smith.

The ode was then sung by the Silver Greys, to the tune “Bruce’s Address.”

ODE TO LIBERTY.

Fairest spirit of the skies,

Fairest child of Paradise,

Once Columbia’s lawful prize—

Glorious Liberty.

Thee our noble fathers sought—

For thyself our heroes fought,

Thus our bleeding patriots bought

Precious Liberty.

When thy banner waves abroad,

All may freely worship God,

Fearless of the tyrant’s rod—

Sacred Liberty.

Never, never cease to wave

O’er the ashes of the brave;

Shield, O shield the patriot’s grave—

Flag of Liberty.

Should oppression boldly dare

From thy brow the wreath to tear,

Righteous vengeance shall not spare

The foes of Liberty.

Sooner than to bondage yield,

Bravely in the battle field,

Let the sons of freemen wield

The sword for Liberty.

God, who moved our worthy sires,

When they kindled Freedom’s fires,

Zion’s noble sons inspires

To cherish Liberty.

Here, with godlike grasp and bold,

We the Constitution hold,

Pure as when it’s sacred fold

Sheltered Liberty.

Freedom, Justice, Truth and Peace,

Shall throughout these vales increase;

Shout, O shout, till time shall cease,

Truth and Liberty!

Here, amid the mountain sky,

Freedom’s banner waves on high;

Let the heaven-born echo fly—

GOD AND LIBERTY!

The hour of intermission having arrived, the escort was re-formed; the Bishops collected the residents of their respective wards, and marched with them to the dinner tables, where thousands of Saints dined sumptuously on the products of the valley, judiciously and delicately prepared, and rendered delicious in connection with what foreign luxuries were obtained in exchange for staple articles, as flour, butter, potatoes, etc., from travelers to California. Several hundreds of those Gentile emigrants, who, en route to California, had stopped to recruit, partook of the social repast, as did also threescore of Indians. In proportion to the numbers, no celebration ever passed off with more eclat—no one has been conducted with more order, and no feast partaken of with better zest, with more mutual love and friendship, nor with hearts more filled to overflowing with gratitude to God for the outpouring of His blessings and for the manifestations of His overruling hand.

By Steven Montgomery
[1st Published] February 21, 2003

Arguably the best form of government is that of rule by a righteous king. By simply having all the powers of

Charles Pinckney

execution, legislation, and justice combined in one, a righteous King is able to quickly pass good laws, give quick dispatch to enforcing those laws, protect the nation against enemies, domestic and foreign, and give

righteous judgement where justice is needed. Few would argue that such a government is not effective and efficient in protecting its citizens in the enjoyment of their freedom. Charles Pinckney, Founding Father from South Carolina, described the advantages of such a government in a speech given during South Carolina’s ratification process, as:

unity of council, decision, secrecy and dispatch; the military strength and energy resulting from these qualities of government; the exclusion of popular and aristocratical contentions, the preventing by a known rule of succession, all competition for the supreme power, thereby repressing the dangerous hopes and intrigues of aspiring citizens (Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth, _Elliot’s Debates_, Vol. 4. pgs. 328-330)

The only problem with such a government is that it does not last–it is corruptible. Because of Adam’s fall death and corruption entered the world (1 Cor. 15). Eventually the King gets old and the administration does not have the same energy, vibrancy and watchful care or the King dies, or is murdered, and replaced by one not so worthy. Or the King himself succumbs to temptation and eventually corrupts his empire into a tyranny or despotism.

The ancient Greeks encountered the problem of corruption. Plato and Aristotle understood that good governments eventually corrupt into bad governments. The good governments were Monarchies, Aristocracies and Politei (The whole body of people who are virtuous, educated, and informed). The bad governments were those governed by Tyrants, Oligarchies and democracy. Corruption would turn a righteous monarchy into rule by a Tyrant–tyranny. A wise, experienced and educated Aristocracy would corrupt into an Oligarchy. The Politei would eventually descend into mob rule or anarchy (As a side note, one way to tell a good government from a bad, according to Aristotle, is that in the good forms people might keep and bear arms while in the corrupted governments, disarmament and state monopoly of arms was the rule).

To solve this problem of corruption Aristotle, and later Polybius, suggested that these “best” forms of government be combined or “mixed” into one. In theory, by having a “mixed” government the competing factions would offset, check and balance the others. This “mixed” form of government came to fruition in the unwritten British Constitution or English Parliamentary system. Hence the British have a King or Queen, a House of Lords and a House of Commons. Under the British system freedom did prosper to a certain extent and from time to time. The historian Francis Wormuth wrote that the English Government even consisted of “true excellence” and that:

. . . all parts of it form a mutual check upon each other. In the legislature, the people are a check upon the nobility, and the nobility a check upon the people, by the mutual privilege of rejecting what the other has resolved: while the king is a check upon both, which preserves the executive power from encroachments. And this very executive power is again checked and kept within bounds by the two houses, through the privilege they have of inquiring into, impeaching, and punishing the conduct (not indeed of the king, which would destroy his constitutional independence; but, which is more beneficial to the public) of his evil and pernicious counsellors. … Like three distinct powers in mechanics, they jointly impel the machine of government in a direction different from what either, acting by itself, would have done; but at the same time in a direction partaking of each, and formed out of all; a direction which constitutes the true line of the liberty and happiness of the community (Wormuth, Francis D., _The Origins of Modern Constitutionalism_)

Even the American Colonists flourished under the British system. Something was lacking however in the British system–it was still capable of corruption. King George II had turned the British government, as far as the American Colonists were concerned, into a tyranny. Revolution was the result. The American government under the Articles of Confederation was not much better however–even worse in some cases. A crisis loomed.

Thomas Jefferson was aware of the problem of corruption. In writing about the defects and problems with the Articles of Confederation Thomas Jefferson wrote that, “An elective despotism was not the government we fought for, but one which should not only be founded on free principles, but in which the powers of government should be so divided and balanced among several bodies of magistracy, as that no one could transcend their legal limits, without effectually checked and restrained by the others.” (Thomas Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, 1781-82)

Eventually the best and the brightest were sent by their respective Colonial legislatures to Philadelphia to try and resolve the crisis. The United States Constitution was the end result.

During the Constitutional Convention our Founding Fathers had the uncanny wisdom, genius and inspiration to mix not only elements of Monarchy, Aristocracy and the Politei together but also the powers of the Executive, legislative and judiciary. To mix them but to also give them both a certain independence and dependence upon each other. The President has certain Monarchial elements for instance when he functions as the “Commander in Chief” of our armed forces but can only go to war when Congress declares war. The Senate and Supreme Court has elements of Aristocracy by being generally wealthy, and serving 6 year terms but served (originally) at the behest of their respective State legislatures. Justices, who presumably would have wisdom and experience, served for life but only during good behavior–they were still subject to impeachment. The House of Representatives contain the elements of the ancient Politei (Congressmen represent the whole body of people in their district and serving relatively short 2 year terms). As the great constitutionalist J. Reuben Clark noted: “It is the union of independence and dependence of these branches–legislative, executive, and judicial–and of the governmental functions possessed by each of them, that constitutes the marvelous genius of this unrivaled document. . . It was here that the divine inspiration came. It was truly a miracle.” (J. Reuben Clark, as quoted by Ezra Taft Benson in _The Constitution: A Heavenly Banner_, pg. 19-20)

Commenting on the Constitutions remarkable “mix,” Charles Pinckney noted that the Executive Branch of government would act in some respects an a monarchy–with enough “vigor” to “execute the laws with energy and dispatch.” The Senate (I would also add the Supreme Court) would “have all the advantages of an aristocracy–wisdom, experience and a consistency of measures.”While the House of Representatives would “sufficiently short to render the member as dependent as he ought to be upon his constituents.” (Skousen, W. Cleon, _The Making of America: The Substance and Meaning of the Constitution_)

Mechanics of Governance. The government functioned just like a mechanical system–with all the vital parts functioning properly. John Dickinson, Delegate to the Constitutional Convention from Delaware, wrote on this performance of government that “our government [would] be like that of the solar system. Let the general government be like the sun and the states the planets, repelled yet attracted, and the whole moving regularly and harmoniously in several orbits.”

The U.S. Constitution, a product of both intellectual genius and divine inspiration, provided in its “mechanics of governance” that there not only be a mixture of Monarchy, Aristocracy and the Judiciary but that there also be a separation of powers horizontally and vertically:

• Horizontal: Between Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branches.
• Vertical: Between Federal, State and Territorial governments.

As already noted, The U.S. Constitution, a product of both intellectual genius and divine inspiration, provided in its “mechanics of governance” that there be built in checks and balances. I count at least thirteen:

• States and Territories against the Central Government (the separation of powers vertically)
• The Senate against the House (Takes both houses to pass bills)
• The President against the Congress (Veto power)
• The Judiciary against the Congress (Power to declare laws unconstitutional in particular cases)
• The Senate against the President (Appointments and treaties have to be ratified by the Senate)
• The people against their representatives (The House is elected every 2 years)
• The State Legislatures against the Senate (The election of Federal Senators by State legislators
• The Electoral College against the People (Republic v. Democracy or the Aristocracy v. democracy)
• The People against the Central Government (Through the trial by Jury and the right of the Jury to decide upon matters of law as well as fact (Jury nullification)
• Both the House and the Senate against the President (Impeachment powers)
• An Executive Check upon the Judicial Branch (Through the power of the President to pardon offenses except impeachment).
• Congressional Check on Judicial Power (Through the power of Congress to limit the Federal Court’s Appellate Jurisdiction).
• State Check on Federal Power (By application of 2/3 of the State legislatures, Congress “shall call a convention for proposing amendments. With an amendment strictly limiting what a new Convention could do, the Convention route could be a good check on a Congress unresponsive to the popular will. Without such limits however, a new Convention could be dangerous).

How well has the Constitution of the United States worked to prevent corruption–from turning a good government bad? I’ll leave that up to the reader to decide (Next issue we’ll examine this issue and explore areas where the constitution has come under assault and the inroads that have been made upon the Constitutions built in system of checks and balances). I will state this: The remarkable thing is that the American system of government has stood over 200 years and is still in place.

In conclusion, because of the unique way that the United States Constitution “mixes” both the form (The elements of Monarchy, Aristocracy and the Politei) and the functions (the Executive, Legislative and Judicial powers) of government thereby insuring that the Constitution have a built in system of checks and balances, the Constitution, in spite of all its corruptions since 1787, has been a blessing not only to the United States but to the “rights and protection of all flesh” (D&C 101:77). Because we live in world of corruption, there is no doubt that, without the Constitution of the United States, America and the rest of the world would be under tyranny, barbarism and darkness.

Very Interesting article:

http://www.turkishdailynews.com.tr/article.php?enewsid=109670

An excerpt from the concluding paragraphs:

And then there is this:

http://www.globalpolitician.com/23436-terror-russia

And this:

http://www.globalpolitician.com/2622-terrorism